FYI – June 19

Gas prices on the rise … again
Average retail gasoline prices in Alaska have risen 1.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.03/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 398 gas outlets in Alaska. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2.1 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.61/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Alaska during the past week, prices yesterday were 22.1 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 3.1 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased five cents per gallon during the last month and stands eight cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

Treadwell certifies marijuana initiative
On Monday, Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell certified 13PSUM, the initiative application to tax and regulate the production, sale and use of marijuana.
The lieutenant governor signed the certificate after consultation with the division of elections, which determined the application included a sufficient number of sponsor signatures, and the department of law, which concluded that the proposed bill is in the proper form under Article XI of the Alaska constitution and AS 15.45.
The lieutenant governor notified the primary sponsor of the petition, Timothy Hinterberger.
The Division of Elections will prepare and print sequentially numbered petition booklets to allow full circulation throughout the state. Based on the 2012 General Election, sponsors will need to gather a total of 30,169 signatures from qualified voters consistent with the foregoing requirements.

Murkowski to speak at chamber
For the second consecutive year, Sen. Lisa Murkowski will be speaking at the July 3 Homer Chamber Luncheon at the Best Western Bidarka Inn. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m.
The senator will speak at noon. Sen. Murkowski will also serve as this year’s grand marshall in the Fourth of July Parade.

Feelin’ the heat
According to the U.S. National Weather Service, Alaska, all-time record high temperatures were set at several locations in Southcentral Alaska on Monday afternoon.
An expansive ridge of high pressure over southern Alaska continues the string of unusually hot days. In many locations, daytime highs peaked in the upper 80s to mid 90s — a level of heat uncommon in many parts of the state.
While most stations did not set all-time record highs, nearly all locations were well above the average high temperature for this date. Yakutat set a new daily record high at 74°F. The old record was 73° in 1967.
Given the time of year and extraordinary amount of daylight, some locations may not be done heating up just yet. Anchorage National Weather Service meteorologists are also impressed that three of the four all-time records are located on the Gulf of Alaska coast, places that are normally moderated by an afternoon sea breeze.
More climate information may be found at http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/climate.php
Southcentral Alaska will experience a slight cooling trend through the end of the week. The forecast is always available at www.arh.noaa.gov.

Measures move out of energy committee
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a markup on June 18, discussing three measures that impact Alaska.
The Sealaska Lands bill will finalize the transfer of land owed to the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian tribes under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It will also help sustain the timber industry, while providing new conservation areas to protect salmon and wildlife habitat.
Another measure taken up by the committee would return Mount McKinley to its Athabascan name, “Denali.”
A third measure, the Helium Stewardship Act, would provide $50 million for the cleanup of federal government’s abandoned exploratory oil wells, including Alaska’s legacy wells. All three passed out of the committee, where Senator Murkowski serves as the top Republican.

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